Whether you use a gas furnace or heat pumps, you most likely rely on a thermostat to control your system. Quite often, when you call a heating contractor to figure out why your heater is blowing cool air or won’t come on at all, the problem doesn’t actually rest with the furnace itself—instead, the thermostat could be to blame. Here are some common thermostat issues to check for.

Top 3 Thermostat Malfunctions

1. Tripped Circuit Breaker & Blown Fuses

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective. If your thermostat’s digital screen is blank or if the heat refuses to come on after adjusting a manual thermostat, check to see if the circuit breaker has glitched or if you’ve blown a fuse. Without a consistent stream of electricity, thermostats can’t effectively direct the heater and tell it what to do. To resolve the issue, replace any burnt-out fuses with new ones and reset the circuit breaker. If your thermostat still gives you trouble, you should contact a heating contractor to assess your system, as a more complex issue is likely the root cause of the problem.

2. Dirty Unit

Believe it or not, the inside of a thermostat can get dirty over time. Dust and debris buildup can prevent your thermostat’s internal components from functioning properly. You can fix this by using compressed air or a gentle brush to remove debris, particularly on the bimetallic coil and the switch contact surfaces.

3. Faulty Heat Anticipator

The heat anticipator plays a vital role by monitoring indoor temperatures, as it tells the furnace when it’s time to turn off. If the heating anticipator is stuck or if it’s poorly calibrated, the furnace may shut off before it can adequately heat your home. To properly adjust this important thermostat component, you must enlist the help of a heating contractor, as they will have the proper tools and safety equipment to help you resolve this issue with ease. 

If your home heating and cooling system doesn’t seem to be working as it should, contact the expert heating contractors at Concord Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. Serving Cabarrus County, NC, since 1977, their NATE-certified team’s efficient work will directly address your system’s problems. To learn more about what they can do for you, visit them online or call (704) 786-6608.